by Mark Edwards, USA TODAY Sports

by Mark Edwards, USA TODAY Sports

Even with an Auburn tattoo on his forearm, high school linebacker Reuben Foster announced he will sign with Alabama.

Rivals.com and Scout.com rank the 6-2, 228-pound Foster as the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the nation and the top prospect in the state.

"I've been loving Alabama since I was a pup," Foster said during a Fox Sports South interview. "I was raised as an Alabama fan by mom and dad."

Foster said he made the decision on his way to the Fox Sports studio Monday night. He gives Alabama 23 public commitments. National Signing Day isn't until Wednesday, and public commitments aren't binding.

Foster committed to Alabama before his junior season, which he spent at Troup High in LaGrange, Ga. After his junior season, he transferred to Auburn because his coach at Troup was fired.

He committed to Alabama before switching to Auburn in July 2012. At a news conference announcing his switch, he wore an Auburn cap and had his 3-year-old daughter dressed in an Auburn cheerleader outfit. Later that month, he showed up to Auburn's summer football camp with the ink on his forearm.